Welcome to the E46Fanatics forums. E46Fanatics is the premiere website for BMW 3 series owners around the world with interactive forums, a geographical enthusiast directory, photo galleries, and technical information for BMW enthusiasts.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.

I have a 2006 M3 with standard stereo. The previous owner of my car put in an aftermarket headunit and cut 3 wires leading to the factory harness (pins #5, #18, #9) to power the aftermarket stereo. There's about an inch or two of wire sticking from the harness plug. The other side is spliced into wiring going to the back of the aftermarket HU.
I will be installing an Enco B146 headunit that plugs into the factory harness, so I would like to repair the harness, so that the Enco unit gets its power from the harness. I still plan to use the installed RCA wiring leading to an amp in the back that fees the aftermarket speakers.

What is the best way to repair those cut wires?
Option 1: Use butt crimp connectors

Option 2: attempt to remove the short cut wires with pins from the factory plug, transfer the pins to the end of the cut wires and re-plug the pins into the plug

I think #2 would essentially restore the OEM harness without any cuts in the wiring, but I'm afraid that it will be more risky. If I mangle up one of the pins when attempting to remove them, I'd be stuck. Or can I buy spare pins for the harness? If yes, can you point me to a source that sells them and post a part number?